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Canada got the last hurrah at the Celebration of Light Saturday evening, closing the three-night event with a winning display. Canada was declared the winner of the event, with Brazil and China finishing second and third, respectively.

Two 19-year-olds charged in December slaying in Burnaby

Two 19-year-olds have been charged in the December slaying of Branson Sanders. Picture is taken from the Caribou high school annual.

Photograph by: Arlen Redekop
, PNG

A conflict at a Surrey house party attended by a group of friends last year may have led to the murder of 20-year-old Branson Sanders.

Two 19-year-olds were arrested Friday on second-degree murder charges in connection with Sander’s slaying.

Sanders’ severely burned body was found in the bushes off Fareham Avenue and Elwell Road in Burnaby on Dec. 2, 2011.

Sgt. Jennifer Pound, of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said Friday that investigators believe Sanders was killed while at a Surrey party in the 18000-block of 55 Avenue and his body later dumped where it was found. And they think there were a number of witnesses that have not yet spoken to police.

“We are asking for those people to come forward and speak with IHIT investigators,” Pound said. “I think it was a group of kids that at one point were friends and acquaintances.”

Burnaby resident Shakib Abdiriz Shakib, 19, and Surrey’s Brandon Nandon, also 19, were expected to appear in court Friday in connection with the murder.

Shakib was picked up in Alberta and has had several other charges laid in recent months, including related to an alleged robbery and threatening incident in Burnaby on March 6.